Aluminium is one of the most useful metals in modern manufacturing. It is light, resists corrosion, conducts heat and electricity well, and can be formed into nearly any shape. Those properties explain why it appears in car bodies, kitchen furniture, cosmetic packaging, and solar mounting systems. Yet the value of aluminium depends on the form it arrives in. A part that stamps cleanly from one grade of coil can crack when formed from another, and a surface finish that looks right on a sheet can fail on a finished trim panel.
That is why buyers look for a supplier that controls the process from the melt through rolling, heat treatment, cutting, and stamping. This guide explains the five main product forms, aluminium strips, coils, sheets, plates, and blanks, and the industries they serve, so you can choose the right specification for your project.
Aluminium Coils and Strips
Coils are the starting point for most rolled aluminium products. A coil is a continuous length of rolled metal wound onto a reel, which makes it efficient for high-volume stamping, slitting, and forming lines. Strips are coils slit to a narrower width, giving manufacturers a precise band of metal ready for their own processing.
Martinrea’s certified rolling plant in Meschede, Germany, produces coils in thicknesses from 0.4 to 2.2 mm, with a maximum width of 1,250 mm. The plant rolls coils with bright surfaces and with pattern surfaces, a finish often specified for visible interior components. Pattern-surface coils are rolled to 0.5 to 1.2 mm in thickness with a maximum width of 610 mm, which suits decorative trim applications.
When you order aluminium coils or strips, specify the alloy, thickness tolerance, width, surface finish, and coil weight. Those four details determine whether the material will run smoothly through your equipment.
Aluminium Sheets
Aluminium sheets are flat, cut-to-length pieces, typically produced from coil. Sheets give designers and engineers a predictable starting size for panels, housings, brackets, and enclosures. They are also the most practical choice for small runs and prototypes, because they can be cut and tested without committing to a full coil.
Sheets from the Meschede plant are available in the same 0.4 to 2.2 mm thickness range as coils, with a maximum width of 1,250 mm and a maximum length of 3,500 mm. Standard sheets suit most general fabrication, while special dimensions and quantities can be arranged for specific projects.
Aluminium Plates
Plates are thicker than sheets and are used where strength and structural rigidity matter more than weight savings alone. Martinrea’s plate rolling covers a thickness range of 4 to 130 mm, with a maximum width of 1,500 mm and a maximum length of 4,170 mm. Each plate can weigh up to 165 kg.
Thick aluminium plate is a demanding product to roll. It requires careful control of heating, reduction, and cooling to achieve even mechanical properties throughout the plate. Plates are also available as circles and rings up to 1,250 mm in diameter, with a maximum weight of 100 kg per circle, for applications that need a rotational or ring-shaped component.
Aluminium Blanks
Blanks are flat pieces cut or stamped from coil or sheet, ready for the next forming operation. They are the bridge between raw rolled material and a finished component. A well-made blank saves time and scrap during forming, because it already has the correct outline and size.
The Meschede plant stamps blanks from coils up to 990 mm wide. Its presses include high-performance eccentric and hydraulic machines with stamping forces of up to 400 tons. Mounting space accommodates tooling up to 2,500 x 1,300 mm, which covers a wide range of part sizes. Blanks can be produced in 2D form or as 2D and 3D stamped parts, depending on the design.
Industries We Serve
Automotive
Automotive is the largest application area for rolled aluminium. Car makers use aluminium to reduce vehicle weight, which supports fuel efficiency and extends the range of electric vehicles. Stamped blanks, coils, and sheets feed body panels, structural components, heat shields, and interior trim. Automotive buyers expect consistent quality and traceability, which is why the Meschede plant holds IATF 16949 certification alongside ISO 9001.
Furniture
Furniture manufacturers value aluminium for its strength-to-weight ratio, clean appearance, and resistance to rust. Sheets and coils are used for cabinet panels, shelving, frames, and decorative details. Pattern-surface coils allow designers to add texture without extra finishing steps, which can lower production costs for modern furniture lines.
Cosmetics
Cosmetics packaging depends on precise, attractive metal components. Aluminium strips and thin coils are used for compact cases, caps, and decorative containers. Surface quality matters here, because customers see and touch these products. Bright and patterned finishes help brands create a premium look while keeping the metal lightweight and recyclable.
Solar and Renewable Energy
Solar and renewable energy projects use aluminium for mounting structures, frames, and support brackets. The metal’s corrosion resistance is important for outdoor installations that must perform for decades. Plates provide structural strength for heavier components, while sheets and blanks can be formed into brackets and connectors. Aluminium’s recyclability also supports the sustainability goals many renewable energy companies set for themselves.
Why Process Control Matters
Choosing the right aluminium product is only part of the decision. The quality of the rolling and heat treatment determines how the metal behaves during your manufacturing process. Martinrea’s Meschede plant operates two slitting lines, two cut-to-length lines, two plate saws, a surface milling unit, and four annealing furnaces. Its quality control includes equipment for testing technological and mechanical values, along with tactile and optical systems for measuring surface roughness.
The plant also operates a billet foundry, which allows it to control material quality from the start of production. This level of manufacturing depth helps keep tolerances tight and makes it easier to troubleshoot issues when they arise.
Flexibility for Small Runs and Special Requirements
Not every project is a high-volume program. Many customers need small lots, niche specifications, prototypes, or special alloys. The Meschede plant is set up to handle these requests, supporting development work from the first design discussion through full production. For buyers who need a supplier that adapts to changing requirements, this flexibility can be as important as price.
Certifications and Quality Standards
Buyers in regulated industries need documented proof of quality. The Meschede site holds ISO 9001 quality management certification, IATF 16949 automotive quality certification, ISO 14001 environmental management certification, ISO 45001 occupational health and safety certification, and ISO 50001 energy management certification. Current certificates are available for download, which helps procurement teams complete supplier reviews quickly.
Tips for Ordering Aluminium Products
Before you request a quote, prepare the following information:
- Product form: Coil, strip, sheet, plate, circle, or stamped blank
- Alloy: Choose a grade that matches your forming and finishing needs
- Dimensions: Thickness, width, length, or diameter, with tolerances
- Surface finish: Bright, pattern, or standard
- Quantity: Estimated annual volume and order size
- Application: The industry and end use, which helps the supplier recommend the right specification
Alloy datasheets for each product line are available from the product pages, and a brochure for each rolling process can help your team compare options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What thicknesses of aluminium coils and sheets are available?
Coils and sheets from the Meschede rolling plant range from 0.4 to 2.2 mm thick. Pattern-surface coils and sheets are available from 0.5 to 1.2 mm.
What is the difference between aluminium sheets and plates?
Sheets are thinner, typically rolled in the 0.4 to 2.2 mm range. Plates are thicker, from 4 to 130 mm, and are used where structural strength is needed.
Which industries use aluminium blanks?
Automotive, furniture, cosmetics, and solar and renewable energy manufacturers all use aluminium blanks. Stamped blanks are useful wherever a part needs to be formed from a flat starting shape.
Can I order small quantities or prototypes?
Yes. Small-lot production, prototyping, and special requests are part of the rolling plant’s core offering, with support from development through production.
Which certifications does the plant hold?
The Meschede site holds ISO 9001, IATF 16949, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and ISO 50001 certifications.
Get Started With Your Aluminium Specification
The right aluminium strip, coil, sheet, plate, or blank can make a measurable difference in how your product performs and how efficiently you produce it. If you are developing a new automotive component, a furniture line, a cosmetics package, or a solar mounting system, begin by defining your requirements and sharing them with a supplier who can match them.
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